Heat exchanger



, A y n Feb. 23, 1960 M. M. scovr-:L 2,926,004

HEAT EXCHANGER Filed June 17, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l 33J 32a 35) L34 IN VEN TOR.

MAX M. SCOVEL BY 25 u' a I 36 Feb. '23, 1960 M. M. scovEl. 2,926,004

y HEAT EXCHANGER Filed June 17, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fiq 6. INVENTOR.

MAX M SCOVEL Thisinvention relates to heatexchangers and particularly to those utilizing a heating or cooling fluid flowing therethrough.

V'I'h'e principal object of the invention is to provide an exceptionally 'eicient heat" exchanger of simple and inexpensive construction.

Another object Vis to provide anovel seal between the various lements of the heat exchanger.

These objects are attained in part by forming the various elements from relatively thin metal that can be pressed to shape in suitable presses, and which when assembled form relatively large thin uid spaces so that the heat transfer is rapid. They are also attained in part by pressing matching concavo-convex ribs on all parts that will lit together when assembled, the convex rib on one element fitting into the concavity in the adjacent element.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a pictorial view of the heat exchanger, parts being broken away to show the construction thereof;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 2 2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the front cover;

Figure 4 is a plan view of one of the baffle plates with the openings adjacent to the center of the plate;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the back cover;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a plan view of one of the spacers;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 8 8 of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a modied form of the invention.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 to 8 of the drawings, the heat exchanger comprises four differently shaped elements, of which there are a plurality of each of three of them. They are bae plates 10, one of which is also the front cover, bafiie plates 11, a rear cover 12, and a plurality of spacers 13.

The baie plates 10 are all alike. They comprise thin plates of metal of rectangular shape provided with openings 14 and 15 to provide passageways therethrough through which the heat transfer fluid may pass. They are also pressed to form concavo-convex ribs 16 extending out from one side thereof in the form of a generally rectangular figure eight. Holes 17 are also provided through which bolts are passed to attach the parts together.

Bale plates 11 are of the same size as plates 10. They have concavo-convex ribs 18 matching those in plates 10 and are provided with bolt holes 19the same as holes 17 in plates 10. Openings 20 and 21 of the same size as openings 14 and 15, but located near the center of the plates on opposite sides of the center cross rib 20, are also cut through the plates.

Back cover plate 12 is another plate of the same size as plates 10 and 11. It has bolt holes 22 but otherwise ,United Staffa Patent,

has no other-openings. It does,` however, have a rearwardly pressed dishl shaped portion 23 which overlies openings 20 and` 21 in the last baie plate. The purpose of this will appear presently. It also has a concavoconvex rb 24. y

Spacers 13 are stamped or otherwise formed from sheet metal in the 'form shown in Figures 7 and 8. They con'- sist of generally oblong gure eight shaped frames with two large oblong openings 25 and 26. The spacers are substantially smaller in outer dimensions than the bale plates and covers. Between the inner and outer edges of the spacers are concave-convex ribs 27 which match the corresponding ribs in the bale plates and covers.

The heat exchanger may consist of any numbers of pairs of plates 10 and 11, an equal number of spacers and a back cover. They are assembled alternately, baille plateV 10 (or front cover), spacer'13, baie plate 11, spacer 13, etc., and lnally the back cover 12. They are arranged so that the convex side of a rib of one element ts tightly into the concave side on the next rib, thereby providing an effective seal between the various elements; After assembly they are bolted together by bolts 28 passing through holes 17, 19 and 22, and fastened tightly. Suitable pipes are connected to the openings in the front cover in fluid tight relationship. Heated or refrigerated iluid may theny be passed through the exchanger. It will be noted that it passes in a serpentine pathway through one section of the exchanger, entering for instance through opening in the cover 10. It flows between the cover and first plate 11 within the contines of one section of the rst spacer 13 and out through opening 20. From there it alternately flows through openings 14 and 20 in the subsequent plates until it ows through the opening Ztl in the last bafe plate 11. It then passes by way of the dish shaped depression in the back cover over the central cross bar of the last spacer 13 and enters the other section of the exchanger. It flows in the same manner back through the other section and out of opening 15 in the front cover plate.

The ow of Huid can, of course, be reversed by reversing inlet and outlet.

Due to the fact that plates 10, 11 and cover 12 are substantially larger than spacers 13, the projecting metal of the plates form heat radiating ns which add materially to the efliciency of the exchanger.

Figure 9 shows a modied form of the invention wherein the heat exchanger is formed to provide multiple stages. It is composed of front and back covers 30 and 31 respectively, a plurality of baffle plates 32 and 33, and a plurality of spacers 34. Essentially the heat exchanger is the same as two heat exchangers of the type shown in Figures l to 8 formed in a single unit and connected together in series, thereby providing greater ef.- iiciency. The back cover is provided with two depressions 36 and 37 and the front cover with one depression 35. Each baille plate is provided with two pairs of openings, and each spacer with four large openings. Thus, when assembled as shown, uid ows in as indicated by the arrow, ows through the bottom fourth of the exchanger, then through the passageway formed by depression 36, and then through the second fourth of the exchanger. From there it flows through passageway formed by depression 35 and through the upper half of the exchanger in the same manner as through the bottom half and out of the outlet. Thus, considerably more heat exchange area is provided.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention provides a very eicient form of heat exchanger since the fluid ows in a thin sheet of large surface area in a serpentine pathway through the two halves of the ex changer. Furthermore, the seal between the plates is very effective, and the plates can all be stamped from Patented, Eems. 195.0

relatively thin sheet metal, making it economical and simple to manufacture.

I claim:

l. A heat exchanger comprising front and back covers, a plurality of parallel baille plates between said covers, said baille plates having pairs of openings therethrough, alternate baille plates having said openings located adjacent the centers thereof and adjacent the ends thereof, respectively, a plurality of spacers between all of the adjacent baille plates and between the outer baille plates aud covers, said spacers being generally oblong open frames with a transverse center bar separating said spacers into two oblong open sections, said center bars being located between the openings in adjacent baille plates, said front cover having inlet and outlet openings therein adjacent the ends thereof, and said back cover being formed to provide a passageway around the center bar in the adjacent spacer, whereby said covers, baille plates and spacers form a serpentine passageway through said exchanger from the inlet to the outlet thereof.

2. A heat exchanger as defined in claim 1 wherein said covers, baffle plates and spacers are formed to provide matching concave-convex ribs forming seals between adjacent elements.

3. A heat exchanger comprising elongated rectangular ,4 front and back covers, said front cover having inlet and outlet openings adjacent the ends thereof, a plurality of baille plates between said covers, said baille plates and covers being all spaced apart by oblong spacers, alternate baille plates having spaced apart openings therein adjacent the centers and ends respectively with the bale plate nearest the front cover having its openings near the center, said spacers being in the form of oblong open frames with transverse center bars therein, said center bars being located between the openings in the respective plates, said back cover being formed to provide a passageway around the center bar in the adjacent spacer. 4. A heat exchanger as deilned in claim 3 wherein said covers, baille plates and 'spacers are formed to provide matching concavoconvex ribs forming seals between adjacent elements.

References Cited in the le of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,508,860 Stuart Sept. 16,1924 2,028,455 Karmazin Jan. 21, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS 552,507 Germany June 14, 1932 

